PHILLIES: Manuel still believes in bullpen

PHILADELPHIA — Ruben Amaro Jr. didn’t come out of free agency this past winter with his hand cramped from all the zeroes he wrote at the end of contract figures.

However, the one free agent he and the Phillies thought was worth the investment was set-up reliever Mike Adams. They believe the Adams-Jonathan Papelbon combination will be one of the best eighth- and ninth-inning duos in baseball.

The trick is getting a lead that needs protecting after the seventh.

Antonio Bastardo and Phillippe Aumont figure to have a hand in that process, and both threw a scoreless inning in their lone appearances through the first four games. However, the three relievers to make multiple appearances during the Phils’ 1-3 start were Chad Durbin, Jeremy Horst and Raul Valdes. They have been less than impressive.

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In seven innings of work, that trio has allowed 12 runs on 15 hits, with all three getting a piece of Friday’s 13-4 debacle against the Royals. They allowed eight of the runs, not including the three inherited runners Horst had cross the plate when he took over with the bases full in the sixth.

“We have a chance to have a good bullpen — a really good bullpen,” Charlie Manuel said. “At the same time, we have to put people in the game and have to see them pitch.

“(Entering a game with the bases loaded) is definitely tough. That stuff is tough on an eighth-inning guy or closer, too. But it’s part of the game. Somebody has to pitch to someone with the bases loaded. That’s just kind of how it is.

“Anytime you bring someone in that spot, it’s a tall assignment.”

Horst and Valdes pitched well for the Phils last season when given the opportunity. However, when it comes to the arms behind Adams and Papelbon, Bastardo and Aumont are the two with the best stuff for staving off trouble.

Still, Manuel wants to see what the entirety of his bullpen can provide — although that could change if there are more disasters like that.

“I think it might take a little while and they might get hit a little bit at the start,” Manuel said. “The experience they got last year was great, but they got that experience when we were 14 games under .500. When we put people out there in situations at the start of the season, there’s a huge difference.

“I’m sure they think about where they’re at and what their role is. Maybe they are concerned and are trying a little too hard. But we have to get guys like Aumont more experience, and get our bullpen organized where we can get the most out of it.”

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After the series-opening loss to Kansas City, Kyle Kendrick did more than hint at dissatisfaction about not getting a chance to close out the sixth inning jam that had brought the tying run to the plate for the Royals.

Manuel didn’t want to hear about it.

“He can say whatever he wants to,” Manuel said, “and I’ll say to him what I want to.

“Seriously, I don’t care what he says, but if I have something to say to him, I’ll definitely do that. You won’t know it — unless he tells you.”

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NOTES: The Phillies wrap up their series with the Royals today (1:35) when Cole Hamles (0-1, 9.00) faces James Shields (0-1, 1.50). ... The Phillies host the Mets to close their homestand. The pitching matchups for that series (all games 7:05 starts) are: Monday, Roy Halladay vs. Matt Harvey; Tuesday, Cliff Lee vs. Dillon Gee; Wednesday, Kendrick vs. Jeremy Hefner.